American Rivers made its annual announcement of Americans most endangered rivers for 2009. Rivers in Alaska, California, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin are on the list this year.

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“Our nation is at a transformational moment when it comes to rivers and clean water,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “Water is life, yet our nation’s water infrastructure is so outdated that our clean drinking water, flood protection and river health face unprecedented threats. Our country needs the smart, cost-effective solutions for clean drinking water, flood protection and river health outlined in America’s Most Endangered Rivers that will bring us into the 21st century.”

Most notably for Pennsylvania was number seven on the list Laurel Hill Creek. Sighting excessive water withdrawal as a major threat for this wonderful western Pennsylvania stream. The full press release can be found here.

Wednesday the House of Representatives passed the Ominbus Public Lands Bill with a final vote of 285-140. This sweeping public-lands bill protects millions of acres of habitat for fish and wildlife. The bills passage will touch the Salmon Wilderness in southern Oregon to Wild Monongahela Wilderness in West Virginia and many more locations across the United States.

Trout Unlimited as well as many outdoor and sporting organizations lauded the news with resounding support across the country. Trout Unlimited posted a press release providing more details to anglers.

HARRISBURG - In announcing the most recent results of its ongoing investigation into an alleged mountain lion attack on Oct. 9, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced tests conducted on a knife allegedly used by Samuel Fisher, 42, of Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County, were positive for human blood. The tests were conducted by East Stroudsburg University in Monroe County.

The state agencies responsible for the stewardship of Pennsylvania's natural resources today praised a court decision guaranteeing the rights of citizens to have access to the Little Juniata River in Huntingdon County for fishing, boating and other recreation.